Heart band with fillable chambers to modify heart valve function

Abstract

The present invention relates to an external heart device, having a layered band dimensioned to be received around a patient's heart, which also includes at least one fillable chamber between the layers in the band that functions to apply localized pressure to the outside of the heart when filled. More particularly, the fillable chambers are positioned such that they exert an inward radial force on a heart valve. Areas between the fillable chambers may also be sized and positioned to form a bridge of little to no pressure over the vascular structures of the heart.

1. An external heart device, comprising:
 (a) a band dimensioned to be received around a patient's heart, the band comprising an inner layer and an outer layer, wherein some but not all areas of the inner layer and outer layer are bound to one another; and 
 (b) at least two fillable chambers in the band, the at least two fillable chambers being spaced apart from one another and located in areas where the inner layer and the outer layer are not bound to one another, the at least two fillable chambers being separated by a gap, wherein the gap and each of the at least two fillable chambers have a circumferential length, and wherein the circumferential length of the gap is greater than the circumferential length of each of the at least two fillable chambers; 
 wherein the at least two fillable chambers are positioned on the heart spaced apart from one another with the gap being placed over heart vasculature so as to form a pressure-reducing bridge over the heart vasculature contacting and applying constant localized pressure to the heart in a predetermined location to modify a heart valve shape when the at least two fillable chambers are filled. 
 
     
     
       2. The external heart device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two fillable chambers are formed into the areas where the inner layer and the outer layer are not bound to one another. 
     
     
       3. The external heart device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two fillable chambers are inserted into the areas where the inner layer and the outer layer are not bound to one another. 
     
     
       4. The external heart device of  claim 1 , wherein the band is transparent. 
     
     
       5. The external heart device of  claim 1 , wherein the band is made of silicone rubber. 
     
     
       6. The external heart device of  claim 1 , wherein the inner layer and outer layer are bound to one another by adhesives. 
     
     
       7. The external heart device of  claim 1 , wherein the inner layer and outer layer are bound to one another by crosslinking. 
     
     
       8. The external heart device of  claim 1 , wherein the inner layer and outer layer are bound to one another by stitching. 
     
     
       9. The external heart device of  claim 1 , wherein an interior surface of the inner layer is textured. 
     
     
       10. The external heart device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two fillable chambers are a plurality of fillable chambers. 
     
     
       11. The external heart device of  claim 10 , wherein two of the plurality of fillable chambers are positioned spaced apart from one another, and wherein the band forms a bridge therebetween. 
     
     
       12. The external heart device of  claim 11 , wherein the bridge in the band is dimensioned to be positioned over vasculature on the exterior of the heart when at least one of the plurality of fillable chambers is filled. 
     
     
       13. The external heart device of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of fillable chambers is five fillable chambers. 
     
     
       14. The external heart device of  claim 1 , further comprising a filling tube in fluid communication with the at least two fillable chambers. 
     
     
       15. The external heart device of  claim 14 , wherein the filling tube is fillable through a blunt needle port. 
     
     
       16. The external heart device of  claim 14 , wherein the filling tube is fillable through a sharp needle port. 
     
     
       17. The external heart device of  claim 14 , wherein the filling tube is fillable through a subcutaneous port. 
     
     
       18. The external heart device of  claim 14 , wherein the filling tube is made of silicone. 
     
     
       19. The external heart device of  claim 14 , wherein the filling tube comprises identifying indicia. 
     
     
       20. The external heart device of  claim 17 , wherein the at least two fillable chambers comprises a plurality of fillable chambers and wherein a filling tube is in fluid communication with each fillable chamber, and wherein each filling tube is fillable through a subcutaneous port, and wherein the plurality of subcutaneous ports are disposed on a sheet. 
     
     
       21. The external heart device of  claim 20 , wherein the sheet is made of silicone or polyester. 
     
     
       22. The external heart device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two fillable chambers are filled by saline. 
     
     
       23. The external heart device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two fillable chambers are filled by a hardening polymer. 
     
     
       24. The external heart device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two fillable chambers are filled by a gas. 
     
     
       25. The external heart device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two fillable chambers are filled by a gel. 
     
     
       26. The external heart device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one sleeve positioned around an exterior surface of the outer layer. 
     
     
       27. The external heart device of  claim 26 , wherein the at least one sleeve is made of polyester. 
     
     
       28. A method of modifying heart valve function, comprising:
 placing a band around a patient's heart, the band comprising an inner layer and an outer layer, wherein areas of the inner layer and outer layer are bound to one another, and wherein at least two fillable chambers in the band are spaced apart from each other and are located in areas where the inner layer and the outer layer are not bound to one another the at least two fillable chambers being separated by a gap, wherein the gap and each of the at least two fillable chambers have a circumferential length, the circumferential length of the gap being greater than the circumferential length of each of the at least two fillable chambers, the at least two fillable chambers positioned on the heart spaced apart from one another with the gap placed over heart vasculature to form a pressure-reducing bridge over the heart vasculature; and 
 filling the at least two fillable chambers with a fluid to cause the at least two fillable chambers to contact and apply constant localized pressure to the heart in a predetermined location to modify heart valve shape.